Sorry, matt paint! This 'outdated' paint finish is making a comeback – I keep seeing it in the most stylish homes
Eggshell and glossier paint finishes are no longer reserved only for skirting boards
For the last few years, matt paint finish has been the most popular go-to for walls and ceilings in most homes. But this year, there’s a shift towards a glossier paint finish that until recently would have been considered outdated. And yet, 2026 seems to be all about glossy walls and the slightly more subtle eggshell paint finish trend.
Just last year, experts named matt paint the best finish for walls and ceilings. And now, the same experts report a rise in popularity of paint finishes with a higher sheen across the board as the new on-trend paint idea. And I’m seeing it in the most stylish interiors, too.
Last week, the team celebrated the Ideal Home Awards 2026 at The Coral Room bar at The Bloomsbury Hotel in London which was painted in a glossy (you guessed it) coral paint. And just last night, paint brand Benjamin Moore revealed a space designed in partnership with interior designer Young Huh for this year’s WOW!house featuring colourful panels painted in a high gloss finish.
‘Within my colour consultations, I’m seeing more and more people, myself included, leaning into this idea of creating focal points through sheen and reflection, not just colour alone,’ says Tash Bradley, director of interior design at Lick.
‘At Milan Design Week this year, there was a huge focus on reflective surfaces, lacquered finishes, polished woods and materials that interacted beautifully with light. Interiors felt far more sensual and immersive. There was this real move away from everything feeling dry and matte towards spaces that had depth, movement and almost a slight glamour to them. And I think gloss finishes tap perfectly into that mood.’
What paint finish is becoming the most popular?
‘Matt has been the go-to finish for a while now, and it’s easy to see why. It softens colour beautifully, giving rooms the calm, cocooning feel that so many people want from their homes,’ starts Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at Dulux. ‘But we’re starting to see people move away from an all-matt approach. It’s not that everyone suddenly wants high-gloss walls, but there’s definitely more interest in finishes with a bit of sheen, like eggshell, satin and soft sheen.’
‘Eggshell in particular is having a bit of a moment because it offers the best of both worlds. You still get that soft, sophisticated look, but with a little more light reflection, durability and practicality,’ she explains.
But since incorporating various textures into one room is one of the biggest home decor trends right now, as it creates intrigue and depth, what many people do is pair a glossier finish with a matt finish to create contrast.
‘We’ve not only seen more people exploring with eggshell and glossy finishes but pairing these with traditional matt finishes to vary the texture of the space,’ says Donna Taylor, colour design manager at Johnstone’s Paint. ‘This can accentuate the lustrous effect of gloss.’
What rooms look best with a glossier finish
While an eggshell or an even glossier finish can be used anywhere you want to, it works particularly well in certain areas. For example, it makes for a great kitchen paint idea.
‘Glossy finishes don’t need to be restricted to certain rooms, but they do work especially well in kitchens due to the contrast in materials between cupboards, walls, countertops and tables. As well as looking chic, gloss finishes are durable and resistant to most scuffs or scrapes, and easy to wipe clean,’ Donna at Johnstone’s Paint explains.
On top of that, given the light reflecting benefits, smaller spaces would also benefit. ‘Bathrooms, hallways and utility rooms. While many modern paint finishes now offer excellent durability, a soft sheen can bring an extra dimension to these spaces by reflecting light and adding a subtle sense of energy. They also work beautifully on woodwork, cabinetry and fitted furniture, where a touch of sheen can really lift the detail and create contrast against matt walls,’ Marianne at Dulux says.
Alternatively, you can bring some glossiness to your home with smaller accessories. Whether it’s a lacquer tray or a glazed ceramic side table.
This super chic lacquered tray from Arket is flying off the shelves as the red and blue colourway are already sold out.
Nobody does a glossy finish better than Addison Ross, whether it's the brand's salt and pepper mills, lacquered trays or these beautiful, sculptural wireless lamps.
Made with glossy powder-coated metal, this side table is one of Habitat's top sellers, also available in a neutral ivory shade and dark red.
What colours to go for
Again, you can go for pretty much any colour in a glossier finish. My doors and skirting boards in my home are painted in a sky blue eggshell paint - Lick’s Blue 08, available at B&Q - and I absolutely love the look. But the colours that really benefit from an eggshell or a glossy finish are deeper, more saturated shades.
‘Certain colours absolutely come alive with a glossier finish. Deeper, more saturated colours tend to look exceptional because the sheen amplifies their richness and undertones. It’s actually one of the reasons why with our new Hunter x Lick Green 170 launch, we made the decision to release it exclusively in an eggshell finish. That rich heritage green with its deep blue undertones just completely comes alive with that slight sheen to it. The finish gives the colour movement and richness in a way that a completely flat finish simply wouldn’t,’ Tash at Lick explains.
My top picks
The deep and earthy Red 06 is one of my all-time favourite Lick shades. And I'm sure that it looks stunning in an eggshell finish, just as Tash says.
If you're a lover of green, then Pine Needle in a silk finish (which is slightly glossier than eggshell) is the one for you as it happens to be Marianne's top recommendation.
Not only is Blue Maize one of the best Farrow & Ball shades for a small room, but it also lends itself beautifully to the brand's mid-sheen, super tough Modern Eggshell finish, suitable for floors and kitchen cabinets among other things.
Are you considering switching from all-matt interiors to something with a little more sheen and a little more gloss?
